David Troxel, M.P.H.

Based in northern California, David Troxel is nationally and internationally known for his expertise in the fields of dementia and long-term care. He has co-authored (with Virginia Bell) six influential books, including his newest book, The Best Friends™ Staff: Learning to Deliver Exceptional Dementia Care, Second Edition, and written numerous articles relating to dementia care and staff development and training.

He is a writer, trainer, and long-term care consultant who has spoken at over 500 conferences including keynote presentations at various U.S., Canadian, and international conferences. He served for a decade as the Executive Director of the Santa Barbara (California) Alzheimer’s Association (1994-2004). He also helped support his mother, Dorothy, in her 10-year journey living with Alzheimer’s.

David’s areas of expertise include best care practices for persons with dementia, caregiver support, staff training, and long-term care program development. more information about David’s work can be found on his website at www.bestfriendsapproach.com or the Best Friends Facebook page.

Tonya M. Cox, M.S.W., LNHA

With a long history of supporting Best Friends™ approaches in dementia care, Tonya Cox currently ensures that training and implementation of Best Friends™ practices are maintained across all care settings for the regional Kentucky-based operator Christian Care Communities in her role as Vice President of Operations. She notably blended the Best Friends approach into the Green House® site as the former Executive Director for The Homeplace at Midway. And before that was Director of Community Based Services for Christian Care, which included overseeing the original Best Friends™ Adult Day Center in Lexington, Kentucky. For more than 15 years Tonya has been developing programs and services for persons with dementia and their caregivers, including working on national curriculum development for professional caregivers in various care settings and serving as Vice President for Mission and Service for the Greater Kentucky/Southern Indiana Chapter of the Alzheimer’s Association.

Tonya presents locally and nationally on activity programming and dementia care. She is a co-author on two of the Best Friends™ books (The Best Friends Book of Alzheimer’s Activities, Volume One and Volume Two) and contributed to new editions of The Best Friends Approach to Dementia Care and The Best Friends Staff with Virginia Bell and David Troxel. She has served as co-chair of the Kentucky Alzheimer’s Disease Advisory Council and is a practicum supervisor for both the University of Kentucky and the University of Louisville Kent School of Social Work. Tonya is also Adjunct Professor at Midway University in their Health Care Administration Program.

Wendy Schrag, RN-BC

Board certified in Geriatrics and educated in nursing, behavioral science, and long-term care management, Wendy Schrag is highly qualified for her longtime work with people living with dementia. She is Senior Clinical Operations Manager for Touchmark, a provider of multi-level senior housing that includes dedicated memory care on its 15 campuses across 10 northwestern states plus Canada. Certified as a Master Trainer in 2013, Wendy was instrumental in designing and implementing programs to train Touchmark staff in the Best Friends approach. Progressing from Memory Care Manager for just one community to Memory Care Support Manager for the entire organization, she provided guidance and education on person-centered care and Best Friends™ practices to nurses and other care staff at all Touchmark communities before assuming her current responsibilities.

Wendy also gives informational presentations to the public on issues relating to dementia and is trained as an Alzheimer’s Association Support Group Facilitator, working with families who are caring for loved ones with Alzheimer’s disease or other age-related dementia.

Taylor Pennie

With a background in recreational therapy, Taylor has worked for 10 years for the regional Kentucky-based operator Christian Care Communities. She served as the Program Director at The Best Friends Day Center for 8 years, becoming a Certified Best Friends™ Master Trainer soon after joining the Center. Her responsibilities included training new staff and volunteers.

Currently, she is Memory Care & Social Services Director for Christian Care’s Bridgepointe Assisted Living site.

In addition to promoting Best Friends principles, Taylor is a Support Group Facilitator for the Alzheimer’s Association and is committed to enhancing the quality of life for all those living with dementia and their families.